Owen Morrison was SACKED by City.

Colin Todd today revealed that the inconsistent winger was given the boot from Valley Parade.

Morrison was among a number of out-of-contract players not to be offered new deals for next season. But the club have confirmed that he was dismissed for several breaches of discipline.

Todd said: "Owen was released a long time ago. We terminated his contract for disciplinary reasons.

"He was given several warnings, verbal as well as written. After we gave him a final warning we were quite within our rights to get rid of him. Everything was done by the book. The Professional Footballers' Association and the Football League fully agreed with what we did."

The Irishman's final appearance for City was in March when they were thrashed 4-1 by Oldham. He was substituted before half-time along with Steve Claridge, who also never played for the club again.

Morrison signed from Stockport in December 2004 and became an instant hero with the fans by sinking local rivals Huddersfield at the Galpharm on his full debut.

Two months later, he popped up with an injury-time winner against one of his former clubs Sheffield Wednesday City's first victory at Hillsborough since 1914.

The 24-year-old pledged to come back fitter and stronger last season but injuries and his up-and-down form restricted him to just ten starts before Todd lost patience. He made 37 appearances for the club in total.

Todd has begun putting out feelers for the new faces he needs to refill his squad.

He is currently short of numbers but felt a clear-out of the dressing room had to be done.

"Even if we had a strong budget, some of the players would have been going. I've let people go hoping and knowing that I can get better in."